Six inmates injured in latest round of fighting at Los Angeles jail

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES- Violence erupted again between black and Hispanic inmates at the Southern California jail system where more than 100 inmates have been injured and two killed in a series of racially motivated brawls.

Six inmates were injured during Friday night's fight at Pitchess Detention Center. Sheriff's deputies took control by firing sting-ball grenades and "clear-out gas," authorities said Saturday.

Four injured inmates were treated at County-USC Medical Center.

Sheriff's officials will ask the district attorney's office this week to file charges against 21 inmates allegedly involved in the violence, which first broke out Feb. 4 with a riot that left a black inmate dead. Some could face murder charges, authorities said.

On Saturday, the Los Angeles Times reported that more than 100 prisoners at one jail were ordered to strip naked Feb. 9, had their mattresses taken away and were left with only blankets to cover themselves for a day as deputies tried to quell the fighting.

The tactics drew criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union and other human rights activists, but jail officials said they were necessary to stop the violence.

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